SUMMARY: Pipeline implementation, execution and comparison for functional connectomics remains a key challenge for novice and expert investigators alike. In order to address this challenge, the INDI team has entered the first phase of development for the Configurable Pipeline for the Analysis of Connectomes (C-PAC). C-PAC is intended to be a configurable, open-source, Nipype-based, automated processing pipeline for resting state fMRI (R-fMRI) data. C-PAC brings the power, flexibility and elegance of Nipype to users in a plug-and-play fashion – without any programming. Using an easy to read, text-editable configuration file, C-PAC users can rapidly orchestrate automated procedures central to R-fMRI analyses. Existing functionality includes automated:
• quality assurance measurements
• standard image-preprocessing based upon user specified preferences
• customizable extraction of timeseries data at various scales
• generation of connectivity maps (e.g., seed-based correlation analyses)
• generation of connectome graphs at various scales (e.g., voxel, parcellation unit)
• generation of local R-fMRI measures (e.g. regional homogeneity, voxel-match homotopic connectivity, frequency amplitudes)
• Multi-level bootstrap analysis of stable cluster (BASC)
• Multivariate distance-based multiple regression
Importantly, C-PAC makes it possible to use a single configuration file to launch a product set of pipelines that differ with respect to specific parameters in each set (e.g., spatial/temporal filter setting, global correction strategies, motion correction strategies) though conserve computational and storage resources. C-PAC is designed to enable configurable data directory organizations.
What can I do?
We are looking for the C-PAC to become an open community development resource. We are hoping to find individuals interested in: 1) using CPAC for their analysis needs, 2) building novel analytic routines into the C-PAC, 3) design graphical interfaces for the C-PAC, and 4) strengthening the CPAC’s underlying architectural design and flexibility.
How can I join?
Contact Cameron.Craddock at childmind dot org or Michael.Milham at childmind dot org
Team Members:
Cameron Craddock (project and design manager)
Brian Cheung (C-PAC developer)
Ranjit Khanuja (C-PAC developer)
Sharad Sikka (C-PAC developer)
Chao-Gan Yan (advisor)
Qiyang Li (testing)
Michael P. Milham (concept development)
Dan Lurie (user manual development)
Zhen Yang (user manual development)
Will this project be represented at Brainhack 2012?
Cameron Craddock, Michael Milham and Brian Cheung will be at the Brainhack.
